You are the new purchasing Manager for a large Hospital. Your Provincial organization invites you to a twice monthly meeting. The meeting would have significant benefits to you and your hospital. The meeting is to be held in another jurisdiction, two hours from your home. You will be covered by expense account for all travel. The meetings are usually one day but may require an overnight. You are asked your preference for the day and you respond that Friday or Monday would be the best days.
Is there an ethical issue? Not yet. You represent your local employer, your Provincial responsibilities and are expected to keep those interests paramount in your thinking.
Your summer cottage a few kilometres from the meeting location. You spend every weekend from May to October at your summer home. If the meetings were scheduled on a Monday or Friday, it would mean a significant saving in your personal budget because, you could expense your weekly trips to your cottage. Further, if your meeting requires a second day you could claim two expense account trips on a weekend. This would be a significant profit to you personally.
Let’s look at this from a scriptural perspective. (11 Chronicles 16:9) “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him”. Micah asks, then answers his own question, (6:8) “…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. Paul is very clear, (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely; whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.”
In Spiritual Leadership, Henry T and Richard Blackaby confirm “the unmistakable mark of God’s work in leader’s lives is that they act like Christ. A person is truly a spiritual leader when others are moved to be more like Christ.”
Leadership is defining and living on the right side of ethical issues. The Servant Leader puts the needs of others ahead of personal needs.
What ethical issues will you face today?
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach